CSKA’s 20-year-old forward about his KHL debut goal.
- Emotions were running high because we tied it. We scored an important goal. It was my first goal. I wanted to help the team very much and it happened so that I netted my first goal. I want to thank my parents and the coaching staff for their trust.
Yesterday was the anniversary of ten years of tragedy. I want to dedicate this goal to those who left us. I was lucky to know them. To see them after every Lokomotiv home game in the locker room, to shake their hands. I'll never forget their advice. I was ten years old at that time. When my dad was playing (Matvey's father is a former Lokomotiv’s defender and Alexander Guskov – CSKA’s one), I knew a lot of the guys. Unfortunately, they left so early, so I dedicate a goal to their memory.
- Tell me, how did you manage to score?
- We played well on the counterattack three to two. Lucas and Anton played well. I just ran to the far post, as I had to. Anton made a great pass, and all I had to do was to turn home. The whole line interacted at a high level.
- In the morning it became clear that Mikhail Grigorenko would not be able to participate in the match. How did you handle the anxiety, because it was a game with one of your main rivals?
- I had already practiced in the second group. But Mikhail, unfortunately, got injured. In principle, I prepared for an ordinary game. I tried to reject too many thoughts and to start with confidence in the first shift. I think that anxiety interferes with the game. I want to thank the guys. Anton and Lukas gave me their advice right away - they told me not to worry, that everything would be OK and that they would help me. This has helped me to join the game immediately and then to score.
